UptownGrrl
-
Posts
231 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Project Database
User Guide
Store
Events
Posts posted by UptownGrrl
-
-
So has anyone gotten a look at the brochure's yet, I have a pretty funny find that I wished to share. The find I have made is very unprofessional of a graphic artist. hopefully other people find this funny because I did, there are also great pix of charlotte on this site, this picture came from corbis, enjoy
Noticed right away - that's a big no-no. Hopefully they bought the image and just made a mistake on a quick pdf. Their printed materials appear to be more in order - though a bit overboard on the stock photography. But, that's really all they have at this point - no floorplans will be out for a couple weeks. Seems they're testing the market now to see what people are willing to buy before they commit. It's smart, I think. Then you don't have to battle any negative press because you had to change everything to respond to the market.
-
Does anyone know who Nascar has existing retail and restaurant relationships with? In the presentation to council last night, it was said that their existing retail and restaurant partners would have the first right to come in and be the exclusive vendors in the HOF, and also for catering events associated with the HOF in the new ballroom.
-
The news interviews were funny last night - complete with retakes after they thought they said too much. "I'll be at the breakfast tomorrow... yada yada" take two: "no, there is no breakfast with Brian France scheduled for tomorrow". *wink* Or, "It's great that it will be in Charlotte"... umm, take two: "In my opinion, we have a great chance..."
It may be that Charlotte thought a bit outside the box and offered a broader proposal - not just the hall of fame, but a new home for Nascar including office space and other ancillary projects to make it a more complete package. I could see why they'd go for that over being just one of many attractions on the Atlanta day pass. This way, they get to be the big fish.
I've heard 10:00 am Monday and 4:00 pm Monday for announcements....
-
The AJC has corrected itself. Charlotte is still the high bidder
City: $77 millionfor NASCAR bid
Total bid now $102 million in battle with Charlotte.
$102M is not their total bid - just their "public money" portion. Charlotte's public money portion is still higher, but Atlanta's latest bid, when you look at the public money and the private/corporate funds together; is higher.
-
Wouldn't it be funny if Nascar announced they wanted the HOF in Charlotte and then we said "Ya know...on second thought, no thanks. We've got a better idea."
-
State of GA also kicked in another $5.2M in the form of a tax break on construction materials.
-
I don't think we really need to be worried. If I'm interpreting that article correctly, it only means that they've increased the total bid from $92M to $102M. The city has just 'guaranteed' it's portion will increase from $5M to $77M of that total $102M figure. I can't see how that would really untangle anything. Our $137M bid has been 'guaranteed' from the get-go.
I'm not so sure.
"The original financial package proposed $30 million from the state ($25 million) and city ($5 million), another $30 million through conventional financing and the remainder of the then $92 million hall of fame price tag through corporate sponsorship."
The City of Atlanta has raised their portion from $5M to $77M and the total bid is now at $169M, compared to Charlotte's $137.5M.
-
all of this desperate money tossing from ATL at the last minute, conveniently after some anonymous source at NASCAR leaks the story that CLT has the HOF, has me suspicious. If all this was just a ploy to loosen up the ATL pocketbook and shake a few more coins out of them
Ya think?
It's got a bunch of Atlantans upset though - the extra $72M pledge from the city is drawing on funds already earmarked for other services and infill redevelopment programs.
-
The people who own it are building their new home above it. Seriously. How cool is that?
Seriously cool - can't wait to see how that turns out. How original. Well, maybe more like 'original-revival'.
-
cool. i am glad you liked, miesian. LULU has only been open for a little over month, month1/2... as we all know it takes a little time for a non-chain restaurant to sharpen its blade and carve out its niche... i'd say these guys are off to a pretty good start.
Where is Lulu's? Can't find an address on the web. I know its on Central - but what's the cross street? Thanks!
-
-
First trip to NorthLake yesterday -- Overall, it was okay, but nothing that impressive. Two disappointments -- the lower level (with the exception of maybe 2 stores) was all tween and teenager stores. I mean, how much of the same stuff do you need? It was AEO, then Abercrombie, then Hollister, then Aeropostale, then Charlotte Russe, then Delia's, then Limited TOO, then PacSun, then Claire's Boutique, then Libby Liu, then Hot Topic etc. etc. (it bugs me that they list these under women's apparel or men's apparel when its really just high-schoolers that wear that stuff). Second was the traffic pattern on exit. The cars were backed up trying to go left at the light in front of Belk for a good 20 minutes after mall closing time. It was just one lane.
Good variety of shoe stores though.
-
Has anyone here been to The Mall at Prince Georges (former Prince Gerorges Plaza) in Hyattsvile, Maryland recently? I went there this weekend. That mall is off the interstate and in a minority neighborhood just like Eastland.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Progress has been a long-time coming in P.G. Took a long time for retailers to connect that though it is a largely minority area, those that live there have some of the highest per-capita incomes in the nation. Residents would otherwise travel 20 miles into parts of DC or Annapolis to shop. They've been practically begging for local, reasonably upscale retail. I think it was that type of clamoring and available disposable income that led to the resurgence of PG Plaza.
The parallel is that several years ago it was a scary place to go; but the economic demographics have increased and so, it gradually got better. Retailers realized that if they invested, there were people there who would shop and spend. Hopefully Eastland and the whole east part of Charlotte can hope for a similar renaissance. The problem here is that east Charlotte residents can just very easily opt for other nearby shopping venues.
-
-
Just saw the story in the Business Journal that Eastland is officially up for sale, as part of a bundle with two other malls - Columbia SC and Huntington W.Va.
-
Now this is funny! Who else was just on the Bobcat's webcam counting floors? Whoever it was...that was me jockying for camera control with you!
Nope, it's got 17 floors (the first floor is really 2 from the looks of it). There's still an equipment floor (note the elevator core) that will house mechanical and the fin is ornamental. For all purposes, it's topped out.
Quit hogging the camera!!!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry. That was me. I wanted to see this tree... I've never heard of a ceremonial tree brought up to the top of a new building...
-
Nascar has set their schedule for when they will make their visits to the cities competeing for the Hall of Fame.
August 9th - Daytona
August 16th - Atlanta
August 17th - Charlotte
August 18th - Kansas City
August 23rd - Richmond
Interesting that the three main contenders are so close in timeframe. They probably want to minimize any advantage gained by keeping an eye on what the other cities present and modifying presentation strategy. Glad we're after Atlanta though. Hopefully it will be 105 degrees in Atlanta on their day! The officials will be weary and grumpy by the time they get to Kansas City.
-
I noticed tables in the old ratcliffe building, but it was empty and closed. was that a restaurant recently?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Was that Ratcliffe on the Green - formerly Irish Blessings? Ratcliffe on the Green is the same group that runs Bonterra in Dilworth. Wonder why it was closed?? It hasn't been open very long. Irish Blessings didn't last long in that space though. Sort of an awkward space for a restaurant. And, always really pricey given the small size and location.
-
$1.95?!? When exactly is happy hour?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But, don't forget the two drink minimum...
-
Catnot, Copper is kinda pricey. It's a "fine dining" Indian place. Worth the money, though.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Try Copper for lunch. You can have an entree with soup or salad and the yummy puffy bread for the $7 range (smallish portion, buy oh so tasty). Prices jump up considerably for dinner - around mid $20.
-
Bank of America is a HUGE plus for Charlotte.
Just saw this on charlotte.com: BofA buying MBNA for $35 billion
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Forgive the ignorant question, but what are MBNA's existing Nascar connections that we can now chalk up to the B of A sponsorship portfolio? I see they have a race at Dover - are they otherwise a sponsor?
-
In case no one has checked the news today, the Supreme Court ruled that municipalities have a much broader ability to take properties through eminent domain than has been generally accepted. Property can now be taken for private development with the justification that there is public good in new jobs and greater tax revenues.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/new...ws/11966710.htm
As someone who tends to be more pro-property rights, I am HUGELY disappointed in this decision. Additionally, it biases development even more to favor large developers and against entreprenurial developers.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
HA HA -- turnabout is fair play!
-
Thanks for the tips Larry. Atlrvr is right, Bill Spoons on South Blvd is great. It's Eastern NC style BBQ.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That place is never open when I want to try it. Isn't it just open for lunch, Monday - Friday?
-
Metropolitan, Midtown Redevelopment
in Charlotte
Posted
You mean the guy grilling kabobs? Yeah, that's pretty sweet.